Bonsai is the art of growing miniature trees in decorative pots. Bonsai can live for more than 100 years, and are passed down from generation to generation. For indoor bonsai trees, select tropical plants that are suitable for indoor cultivation.
Brush cherry (Syzygium paniculatum) is often used for indoor bonsai plants. The new foliage is bright green, maturing to a rich green or sometimes copper. It produces small white flowers in the summer and berries in the fall. Brush cherry requires bright light. Sheflera, too, make worthy indoor bonsai (figure A), and like lots of light -- but make sure it's indirect.
To keep bonsai plants small, gardeners prune as needed and keep their trees pot-bound and growing in soil mixes that are relatively low in organic matter. The soil mix should be a blend of peat moss, perlite and limestone with a small amount of slow-release fertilizer and a handful of water-holding polymer crystals. Crush the crystals before adding them to the soil mix so the particles will be very small. Bonsai plants need constant monitoring for moisture and may need to be watered daily.
Choose a decorative shallow pot for displaying bonsai plants (figure B). Make sure that it has drainage holes and a matching saucer to catch water. Cover the drain holes with a piece of plastic window screen, then place a small amount of the soil mix in the bottom of the pot. Make sure that the tree is well watered before you begin the transplanting process.
Gently remove some of the soil around the root ball. If the roots are deeper than the new container, gently tease them apart and fan them out (figure C). Set the prepared plant in the new pot, and cover the roots with soil (figure D).
Pack the soil tightly around the root ball with your fingers. Top the soil with a layer of pea gravel for a decorative finishing touch. If you like, add some river stone as an accent to the pea gravel. Consider displaying small ornaments with an Asian theme alongside your bonsai (figure E). They're attractive, and are a good way to give viewers a sense of the bonsai's size.
RESOURCES :
The American Bonsai Society
Kimura Bonsai and Landscape Nursery
DK Publishing - Main Office
New York, NY 10016
Phone: 212-213-4800
Fax: 212-213-5240
Dallas Bonsai Garden
Bonsai by the Monastery
101 Essential Tips: Bonsai
Model: 0789410753
Author: Harry Tomlinson
(November, 1996)
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
DK Publishing - Main Office
New York, NY 10016
Phone: 212-213-4800
Fax: 212-213-5240
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